The Select Board on Tuesday heard preliminary data from Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh ahead of the budget process, outlining some expected needs and including information about special education in fiscal year 2025. Town Manager Norman Khumalo said the annual budget...
School Committee
Budget process, school proposal addressed by School Committee
Overviews of the budgeting process and issues associated with the Elmwood School replacement project were among the topics at Thursday’s School Committee meeting. Presented by Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and Assistant Superintendents Susan Rothermich and Jeff...
Snowball effect of capital needs highlighted by School Committee
The Hopkinton School Committee on Thursday reviewed updates to the district’s capital plan and talked about enrollment in conjunction with the proposed new Elmwood School and Hopkins School addition. Assistant Superintendent of Finance/Operations Susan Rothermich...
School Committee roundup: Designer chosen for Hopkins addition; Marathon to have therapy dog
The School Committee on Thursday approved a designer contract with architectural firm Perkins Eastman for an addition to Hopkins School. According to Susan Rothermich, assistant superintendent of finance and operations, the $2.1 million pact falls within the $3...
School committee completes reorganization, picks liaison roles
After much discussion, the Hopkinton School Committee on Thursday named Amanda Fargiano vice chair. Member Holly Morand also expressed interest in assuming that role. The board waited until all five members were present to complete its reorganization process. One...
School Committee roundup: New principals named for Hopkins, Elmwood
At Monday’s School Committee meeting, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh announced several new hires in leadership positions. Matt Cotter, currently assistant principal at Hopkins School, becomes principal there. David Brauninger, currently an elementary school principal...
School Committee recommends new director of student services
On Thursday, the Hopkinton School Committee voted 4-0 for the superintendent to enter negotiations with Abigail Hanscom, a Hopkinton resident, for the position of director of student services. If negotiations are successful, Hanscom, currently director of student...
School Committee reviews expansion needs at Hopkins School
Town Meeting recently approved an article asking to borrow $800,000 for a feasibility study for the proposed expansion of Hopkins School. That debt exclusion request will appear as a ballot question at the election on May 15. On Thursday, the School Committee...
School Committee gives superintendent mostly ‘exemplary’ ratings
During a workshop-style meeting on Thursday, School Committee members discussed their individual ratings for Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh’s ability to achieve her performance goals. They also evaluated her as either “exemplary” or “proficient” in areas such as...
Emotions high as School Committee candidates debate again
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVevau5P1cE&t=583s The three candidates for the two available seats on the School Committee appeared in a debate Friday to illustrate their different perspectives as voters prepare to vote in the Annual Town Election on Monday, May...
School Committee reviews health survey results, SEPAC policy
On Thursday, the Hopkinton School Committee heard the results of the Metrowest Adolescent Health Survey, which asked students their feelings about support, connectiveness and social media use. Board members picked out some of the results, such as 58% of middle school...
School Committee candidates debate issues at Women’s Club forum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k91nI9SB5Bk School Committee candidates Ashley Fogg and Susan Stephenson took center stage as two of the three candidates vying for two open three-year terms during the annual Meet the Candidates Night held Wednesday night at the HCAM...
School Committee approves $59.9M budget with 3-2 vote
The School Committee on Thursday voted 3-2 to approve an amended budget for fiscal year 2024 totaling $59,937,752, a 7.9 percent increase over the previous year. Members Holly Morand and Jennifer Devlin cast the opposing votes. The original budget approved and then...
School Committee questions 14 percent hike for private SPED tuition
School Committee members on Thursday agreed to send a letter to legislators outlining their concern about a 14 percent increase in costs to send students to private special education schools. The tuition hike was imposed by the Operational Services Division and goes...
Appropriation Committee considers school budget gap, future needs
Following a budget presentation Monday, members of the Hopkinton Appropriation Committee told the School Committee that looking at long-term capital needs should be a priority. First, Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh reviewed the district’s proposed $60.1 million...
Elmwood School principal candidates meet with officials, public at forums
Two finalists for the principal’s job at Elmwood School met with faculty, community members and the School Committee on Thursday to answer questions during several forums. Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh said the replacement for retiring principal Anne Carver will be...
School Committee reaffirms support of original budget plan
The Hopkinton School Committee on Thursday voted unanimously to “reaffirm” support of the $60.1 million fiscal year 2024 budget it originally passed on Jan. 19. Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh reviewed the process thus far, noting the proposal began as an 8.3 percent...
Select Board, School Committee continue budget talks
The budget still has many moving parts, noted Town Manager Norman Khumalo during a joint meeting Thursday night with the School Committee. While he acknowledged that people want definitive answers and numbers, Khumalo said the immediate need is to continue...
Facilitator works with school leaders to move forward with SEPAC
Consultant Amy Rebecca Gay led members of the Hopkinton School Committee, administrative staff and the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) through a two-hour working session on Wednesday to see if they could repair their communication issues and work...
School Committee chair: Requested budget cuts would ‘end district as we know it’
Hopkinton Superintendent Carol Cavanaugh and School Committee members said they were taken by surprise when the Select Board requested they come back with a budget reflecting a 5.1 percent increase rather than the $60.1 million fiscal year 2024 proposal, which has an...